HOV lane changes coming

Photo: Castanet Staff - File Photo

Changes are coming to the way motorists in Kelowna use HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes along Harvey Avenue.

Beginning Jan. 19, the lanes will be transitioning to time-of-day operations.

They will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

All other times, the lanes will be available to all users.

The HOV lanes, which run along Harvey Avenue from Pandosy Street to Highway 33, were introduced in 2009 when Harvey was expanded from four to six lanes.

They were implemented to coincide with the introduction of the RapidBus project.

Since their introduction, motorists have argued they slow down traffic along Harvey instead of speeding it up, as it is designed to do.

Many City Councillors have suggested the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which is in charge of Harvey, go to a timed system.

Councillor Mohini Singh has been the most vocal opponent, questioning the relevance of the lanes, asking on more than one occasion whether they could be removed or at least have a time limit placed on them.

"It's a good move," Singh said Wednesday after hearing the announcement.

"I know a lot of people have strong opinions on it but I think this is a good move. It's there from 7 a.m. during rush hour to move traffic through and expedite the RapidBus."

While the lanes are in effect, they can only be used by vehicles with two or more occupants, BC Transit and Handi-Dart buses, taxis, motorcycles and emergency vehicles.

The province says as part of the change, there will be increased enforcement of the HOV lanes by the RCMP.

The HOV lanes will be expanding to Edwards Road within the next two years.

That will correspond with a widening of Highway 97 from four to six lanes from Highway 33 to Edwards.

Construction on the 4.5km project is expected to begin in the fall, with completion in the fall of 2017.